Sept. 27, 2000

MILWAUKEE-The UWM men's soccer team ended their four-game winning streak on Wednesday with a 3-0 loss to MCC rival UIC in Chicago. The Panthers also ended their perfect on-the-road record with the loss against the Flames, who were selected to finish first in the MCC according to the preseason coach's poll. UWM stands at a 6-4 overall record and are 1-1 in the MCC, while the Flames jump to 7-1-1 on the season, with a 2-0conference record.

UIC jumped on the board in the 9th minute, scoring off an indirect free kick. When UWM's defense misheaded the ball, UIC's Jakob Stasko charged in with a header past Panther goalkeeper Brad Swenby. The half ended with the Flames leading, 1-0.

"We played very lackluster in the first half, giving away a poor goal on a second-phase part of a free kick. For the first 45 minutes, we did not look anything like the team we've been the last four games," said UWM coach Louis Bennett.

The Panthers fired-up for the second half, showing signs of getting back into the game. The momentum shifted when a UWM defender was stripped of the ball in back, resulting in a UIC goal. Wide open, UIC forward Eric Lukin scored to take the two-goal advantage, curtailing any chances of UWM making a come back.

After a hand-ball was called against the Panthers in the box, Lukin converted on the penalty kick in the 81st minute to finish the game, 3-0.

"UIC is a very efficient team that you cannot make any basic errors against-they'll punish you for it. They are the team to catch in the MCC right now," said Bennett. "It's disappointing, but we basically got a fair result. For the first time this season, we looked young."